YPG/PKK terrorists deployed in northern Syria

By Mohamad Misto, Omer Koparan, Levent Tok and Esref Musa

ANKARA, TAL ABYAD, Syria (AA) – The U.S.-backed terrorist YPG/PKK forces in northern Syria deployed its members in Tal Abyad and Ras-al Ayn ahead of a potential military operation by Turkey and Free Syrian Army (FSA).

The YPG -- Syrian offshoot of the PKK terror group -- deployed Saturday night a group of Arab-origin members who were forcibly recruited in the regions of Tal Abyad, the northern city of Raqqah, and Ras-al Ayn, the northeastern city of Al-Hasakah, close to the Turkey-Syria border east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria.

The terror group also carried sharpshooters, improved explosives, and ammunition in two military vehicles to the region.

The first convoy departed Jalabiya, one of the largest military bases of the U.S. in the northern city of Raqqa -- northeast of the Euprates in Syria, while the second convoy departed Al-Hasakah and Qamishli regions.

Meanwhile, the U.S. warplanes were seen flying over the Turkey-Syria border.

- US’ military, logistic support to YPG/PKK continues

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

However, the U.S. has been providing support to the YPG/PKK since 2015, citing the fight against Daesh, and has 18 military bases with 2,000 personnel in Syria.

The U.S. forces have been providing terrorists with military and logistical support, sending them 300 trucks through the Semalka border gate between Iraq and Syria over the last 10 days.

On Sept. 21, the U.S. also sent 200 trucks to the YPG/PKK occupied areas in Syria, which carries construction materials, box bodies, prefabricated houses and fuel trucks.

Although U.S. President Donald Trump announced last year that he wants to withdraw his troops in Syria, Washington maintains its military presence in the country.

- Erdogan signals military operation east of Euphrates, Syria

Meanwhile, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Saturday signaled that a military operation is imminent to purge the terrorists in northern Syria.

Turkey is ready for an operation east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria, Erdogan said.

"It is maybe today or tomorrow the time to clear the way for [our] peace efforts which is set and the process for them was started. We will carry out a ground and air operation,” Erdogan said.

"Our aim is to shower east of Euphrates with fountains of peace," he added.

*Writing by Rabia Iclal Turan